Is the budget just another ‘fiscal event’ that can’t give us what we need? As the much-anticipated Autumn budget approaches, our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social reflects on what it can – or can’t – do for disadvantaged neighbourhoods. 🔗 bit.ly/4p7vaEs

In 2010, Par Bay Big Local was established to support three Cornish villages that were facing tough challenges: the decline of local industry, high unemployment, and weakened community connections. Today, their story is one of transformation and pride. [1/2]

Strengthening social capital isn’t just good for society – it’s smart economics. This year, we released our Social Capital 2025 series with @demos-uk.bsky.social and 3ni, which explored one of the most important factors in explaining economic growth & health in societies: social capital. [1/2]

Social capital is back on the policy agenda 🎯 The Government’s emerging neighbourhoods policy provides an opportunity to rebuild social capital, particularly in areas where community activity and local infrastructure are most lacking. But what will it take to turn ideas into action? [1/2]

“I’ve developed as a person, a community leader—something I never envisioned myself being.” For 15 years, Big Local has been transforming communities & empowering residents to lead change in the places they live. In our latest film, residents & partners share how this has shaped who they are today.👇

Last month, the UK Government launched its new Pride in Place strategy - a £5 billion plan supporting 330+ communities with historic new powers for local people to shape where they live. It’s an ambitious vision - but what will it take to turn ambition into impact? 1/3

On Wednesday, we hosted the All Together Now conference in collaboration with our friends at @localtrust.org.uk and @theyoungfdn.bsky.social . the day was full of insightful conversations and important connections! ✨ #alltogethernow #communityconnectedness #c4

✨ It was great to hear so many inspiring voices at the All Together Now Conference on Wednesday! Local Trust’s Tash Meldrum & Millie Dessent led a session on building connected communities, with Taz Virdee from Heston West Big Local sharing how they’ve brought people together. 💚 [1/2]

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Toynbee Hall for the All Together Now conference! It was inspiring to be part of conversations around community connection from so many perspectives. We’ll be reflecting on what we’ve learned and sharing highlights from the day soon, so stay tuned.

What does it really take to build stronger, more connected communities? We’re answering this question today at the All Together Now conference🚀 The conference marks the introduction of @c4research.bsky.social & will explore how to strengthen social infrastructure that helps communities thrive. [1/2]

💡“Investment at the neighbourhood level creates the foundation of local social capital, which in turn supports the growth of community connectedness.” Building social capital & investing in areas where community activity is most lacking creates the spaces & networks that facilitate cohesion. [1/2]

📢 "Cohesion policy should unlock the community-based organisations that offer connection, a shared identity & a broader focus on community life" Our latest policy spotlight outlines how social capital builds more connected communities & must be rooted in the future of cohesion policy: bit.ly/4qI3Iic

To the northeast of Wolverhampton sit two distinct estates - the Scotlands and Bushbury Hill. Divided by a road, as well as a period of history and mistrust, they’re now finding common ground thanks to the remarkable pink ladies - volunteers at the Big Venture Centre. [1/2]

For 15 years, residents in Big Local areas have worked together to create lasting change. Now, with less than six months to go before the programme comes to an end, we’re sharing the stories, reflections and achievements of the people who made it all happen. [1/2]

Our paper ‘Bridging the divide’, released with 3ni, explores how strengthening social capital at the neighbourhood level can boost social mobility. But what are the different types of social capital ,and how do they connect to social mobility? https://bit.ly/3JxBXrX

We each belong to a community, but why do some thrive while others struggle? Next week, we’re exploring these questions at the All Together Now conference with @c4research.bsky.social and @theyoungfdn.bsky.social. [1/2]

Get ready for the Locality Convention - the biggest community sector event of the year! We’re pleased to share that C-Change West London (the legacy organisation of Heston West Big Local) has been shortlisted for the ‘Transforming Lives Award,’ to be announced at the convention. Get your tickets 👇

It’s been one month since the Community Wealth Fund announcement🎉 The government’s decision to target England’s most doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods marks a major milestone for the Community Wealth Fund Alliance (CWFA), for which Local Trust has served as a founding member and secretariat. [1/2]

Is your community ready for climate change? 🌍 Last week, the UK’s Climate Change Committee warned that Britain must urgently prepare for global warming of at least 2°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050. [1/2]

"Creating better places is about so much more than physical buildings" In our latest article, our CEO Rachel Rowney explores how social capital is the foundation for lasting change, and why true renewal depends on strong partnerships between government and civil society. 🔗 bit.ly/3IYNYqp

🤝 How do our communities shape the outcomes of our lives? Our latest paper, ‘Bridging the Divide: The Hidden Power of Social Capital to Drive Social Mobility’, examines the role of social capital in supporting social mobility across the UK. 🔗 bit.ly/3WO79pR [1/3]

When people feel powerless, they start looking for answers elsewhere. We're pleased to share @right-here.org's new film that argues that the solution to ‘Broken Britain’ can be found in every neighbourhood across the country - watch how. 🔗Read the story behind the film: bit.ly/4nl0sGS

In the 1980s, Thurnscoe faced high unemployment and challenges in health, education, and community cohesion after the local mine closed. In 2010, Big Local funding helped the village begin its transformation. Derek Bramham, long-term chair, reflects on their regeneration: https://bit.ly/46YDUqu

That’s a wrap on the 2025 party conference season! 🎉 It’s been an eventful few weeks for us, with activities and engagements at party conferences across the country. In our latest blog, Tilly Steward, our policy and parliamentary manager, shares three key takeaways: http://bit.ly/42LqU4X

Our Bigger Story is a multimedia evaluation of Big Local. In this report, ‘Understanding success in Big Local’, researchers evaluated the performance of 15 Big Local areas against four outcomes. [1/2]

Last week, @futuregovforum.bsky.social published ‘Mission Critical 04’ in partnership with Local Trust, exploring how government can deliver on its missions by resetting its relationship with people, starting at the neighbourhood level. [1/2]

Our head of policy & comms @maddiejennings.bsky.social will be speaking at the launch of @thetcpa.bsky.social's new suite of Community Planning Guides, which will cover practical ways for communities to tackle the most pressing issues in relation to climate change. 🔗Register: https://bit.ly/4h6WBeR

How do we define social capital? Earlier this year, we partnered with @demos-ul.bsky.social and 3ni to produce a series of policy papers exploring how strong social capital can improve social and economic outcomes at the neighbourhood level. [1/2]

"When residents are given the power to decide how money is spent, the results bring lasting, positive change to places that need it most." Last week, we were pleased to attend 3ni and the New Statesman's event at the Labour Party conference, titled ‘Building Social Capital for Neighbourhoods.’ [1/2]

Making neighbourhood renewal real - what will it take from the govt? We're pleased to have supported @futuregovforum.bsky.social's report 'Mission Critical 04'. Drawing on insights from Big Local, it explores how government can work in partnership with communities to deliver national renewal. [1/2]

Read @gracewyld.bsky.social and Ollie Smith's article in the Local Government Chronicle about why it’s ‘Time to change the relationship between people and the state’ and the launch of a new FGF and @localtrust.org.uk report 🔽 www.lgcplus.com/politics/lgc...

📢 New research proposes a new framework for rethinking the relationship between people & the state. We’ve partnered with @futuregovforum.bsky.social on a new report that sets out a framework of how government & communities can work together to achieve the govt’s mission of national renewal. [1/2]

📸 Highlights from our Continuing Community Action event in Birmingham! With only six months until Big Local comes to a close, the event brought together Big Local areas & their legacy organisations to explore how they can continue driving change in their communities. Thanks to all attendees!

❓Which communities will see the government’s Pride in Place funding in action? Last week, the government announced the Pride in Place strategy, directing up to £5bn in funding to 339 local communities and giving them control over how it’s spent. [1/2]

In a new blog for Y-PERN, Natasha Almond highlights research showing that neighbourhoods with resident power, resources, and long-term support thrive. She shares examples, such as Tang Hall Community Centre in York, where local leadership & collaboration have built lasting “good neighbour” networks.

We’re proud to be a member of the Community Wealth Fund Alliance (CWFA), serving as its secretariat since its inception in 2019. 📺 Watch the full video to see the timeline of the campaign. Learn more about the CWF: bit.ly/3IHUEZO

The Big Local programme will come to an end in March 2026, having supported the transformation of 150 communities across England with just over £1m each. With only six months to go, it’s a moment not only to look back at what we’ve achieved, but to celebrate our legacy. [1/2]

📢Our head of policy and communications @maddiejennings.bsky.social is speaking at the launch of @thetcpa.bsky.social's new community planning guides as part of their Practical Hope: Inspiration for Community Action series. 📅 21 October 🕖7 - 8 pm 🔗 bit.ly/46EBV9e [1/2]

Last week, the government confirmed that the Community Wealth Fund will be targeted at doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods. This marks a significant victory for @commwealthfund.bsky.social, for which we have served as the secretariat since its inception.🏆 Learn more: bit.ly/46FfFMt

And we're kicking off with our event ✨ Devolution Revolution✨ with @andyburnham.bsky.social @allymcgovern.bsky.social, @localtrust.org.uk' Rachel Rowney & Big Local's Jack Burkinshaw. Chaired by our @zoebillingham.bsky.social #LC25 #IPPRfringe #devolution

We’ve got an exciting day ahead of us at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. Find us at the following events: ➡️ Building social capital for neighbourhoods ➡️ The devolution revolution: shifting power for national renewal We look forward to seeing you there 👋

Read more about the CWF announcement here: bit.ly/42fDidj

We welcome the government's Community Wealth Fund announcement - this decision is a major win for the Community Wealth Fund Alliance (CWFA), for which Local Trust has served as the secretariat since its inception.🌟 Read more on our website: bit.ly/4nP534H

🚨Government acts on Local Trust’s call to put residents in charge of neighbourhood renewal. We welcome the government's announcement of its Pride in Place strategy, which gives 339 local communities funding and control over how it’s spent. [1/2]

Last Sunday, we co-hosted a reception for civil society at the @libdems.org.uk party conference in Bournemouth with Royal Voluntary Service and @lbfew.bsky.social. 🎥 Here's how it went:

☀️ We were delighted to attend the Battersea Community Festival, organised by a group of community organisations and charities, including Battersea Alliance and Big Local SW11. 🎥 Join us for a tour of the day, showcasing the incredible energy and community spirit that brought Battersea together.

We were pleased at the success of our civil society reception last Sunday in Bournemouth with @lbfew.bsky.social & Royal Voluntary Service at the @libdems.org.uk party conference. Thanks to all who joined and shared valuable insights – we look forward to continuing these discussions with you. [1/2]

🚨Over 14 million people faced hunger last year because they could not afford food. In East Sussex, Heart of Sidley Big Local launched a voucher programme to tackle food poverty - helping those not eligible for benefits, supporting local businesses, and strengthening community connections. [1/2]

📢 It’s time to rethink health from the ground up. We’ve partnered with @nhsconfed.org on an action research programme with six Big Local and legacy areas - exploring how community-led action can work with NHS systems and local government, and how these insights can shape future health policy. [1/2]

Research shows that doubly disadvantaged neighbourhoods face greater challenges across life outcomes, including higher rates of poverty, lower educational attainment, and poorer population health. But what makes a neighbourhood doubly disadvantaged? 📃Learn here: https://bit.ly/4goC8lk